Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $132,900, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Eva L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Eugene S.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Emmett Murphy
+1
33 upvotes
Aaliyah Adams
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Greyson M.
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Aurora Clark
big facts right here
23 upvotes
benjamin_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Totally agree!
13 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
7 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
Moved here from Houston about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to school system but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
0 upvotes
Melanie A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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